Did I just get Netflix and Chilled? No this is clearly a stored film, and I am not cold. Actually my face felt rather hot. I may have been looking at the screen as space-wizards had one hell of a punch up in a room that was rotating on all axises, but my mind was elsewhere.

I wasn’t focused on sex, well not in the way you think. Besides all the HR violations Angelica, Celeste and I had been through, I had only been intimate with three women. Things actually went one step further. Since I was fifteen I spent nineteen years in relationships. That is not some sort of brag. This was a direct admission that I didn’t have any early game. I was good at the established relationship stuff, not the early flirting.

“This was all done practically,” Angelica said, as an old man on the screen threw lightning at the heroes while the spaceship they were in skipped across the side of a mountain.

“Wait, how’d they get the shots then?”” I asked as the battle continued down the side of the mountain and off a cliff.

“Bjorn Elm-Father,” Angelica explained, “He is the director of photography, and a mad genius. I don’t have it on this but he is the reason Fast and the Furious 135 is watchable. The bit when they solved the president's murder by driving a Bugatti through the Pentagon was dumb as hell but it looked so cool.”

As the movie showed a dramatic sequence of an old toydarian ascending to being a force ghost or something. They seemed to be doing that to stop the film's planet blower-upper from blowing up the planet everyone was on. I asked, “We still have the Pentagon.”

“Yeah, well it only has four sides since the thing with Nadia,” Angelica said watching the film intently.

“Did society collapse?” I asked.

“All the old people insist it did, but it seems to be a complicated issue,” Angelica said quickly. She pointed at the screen “He is gonna say the line!”

The evil old guy shouted, “Power without limit! He then threw a lot of lightning at people. It was a truly gratuitous amount of lightning. There is probably a word to describe the amount of lightning. Perhaps one that starts with the letter U.

Angelica was totally focused on the movie. I was beginning to suspect this wasn’t an elaborate set up by her. She seemed to be a cinephile.

I didn’t hate this film.

The credits hit. Neither one of us talked. Oh shoot.

Angelica looked at me. I looked at her. She kept looking at me.

“Am I supposed to make a move?” I asked.

Angelica nodded, “you are higher scale. Honestly this could be a refreshing change from my norm. It is exhausting always having to be the initiator.”

“Didn’t you ask me to bang?” I pointed out.

“Old habit,” Angelica said. Her eyes snapped to the screen, “the stinger!”

A bunch of space wizards were gathered around some pyramid thing. It lit up and a person made of light stood in the middle of them. He said “You dare disturb me?”

One of them said, “They have returned,” they then paused for the music to cut out so they could dramatically say, “Revan.” Everything cut to black and then the screen switched to a list of films. Holy shit that was so much Star Wars.

I ignored the screen. It responded by cycling between colorful movie posters . Angelica closed it.

“Doug, what’s wrong?” She asked.

“You don’t feel coerced?” I asked.

“Not by you,” Angelica said flatly.

That was basically a yes.

“That’s concerning,” I said. Maybe this was a terrible idea.

“Okay what about you?” Angelica finished her cereal and wiped her chin.

“I worry about the effects on our relationship considering the influence and pressure of people like Adora,” and Wilson and Grace… I don’t think Denise is involved.

“I get it, but what if they weren’t involved?” Angelica asked. She seemed concerned about my answer. Then again we were being threatened. There were a lot of things to be concerned about.

This needed to be phrased right, “I am willing to do basically whatever you want to do. You’ll have to bear with me a little, I am still sorting through some things, but I trust you both and respect you both. I would be extremely amenable just not right here right now in this tent.”

“Stew fight! A goblin yelled. Something wet and chunky splattered against the side of the tent. A moment later a body bounced off the tent wall. This triggered even more shouting.

“Ditto,” Angelica said.

“Wait a minute,” I said pointing at her. “Is that your trick? Do you just flip hard questions back on people and then take their answers to look wise?”

Angelica was unphased by the accusation, “No, I only pretend it was my answer when it sounds smart. If it is dumb I argue. It is a great way to look like I have my shit together, and it is a solid method to get ideas from others. When people believe they are being taught their minds seem to expand.”

“That’s kinda genius,” I admitted.

“Thanks,” Angelica said, “So if we are going to move to somewhere else, could you make me new boots.” she held up her bare foot.

I crafted some boots from a snow lion pelt. I was beginning to respect the versatility of the snow lion corpse. They were quickly becoming my duct tape. “Here.”

Angelica frowned at them , “Are these uggs?” Her tone implied they shouldn’t be.

“Angelica, I am a straight man. I have no idea,” I said.

She slid them on her feet. “They are comfortable. …So not to sound too demanding but you aren’t going to suggest a frigloo are you?”

“Would you prefer a slamatorium?” I asked. That didn’t feel like a big step in the correct direction.

Angelica stood, “Would you be able to make a tent and a bed.” After a minute she added, “and candles.”

“I think I can do that,” I looked into my inventory. I had enough snow lion pelts to fashion them into a tent sack. I could then use the bones to provide a structure. The dungeon rocks could weigh things down. Make it a nice large structure and I could actually make something nice long term. Nothing against the warlord tent, but that wasn’t mine.

A few Construction Checks and I had a large frame and huge sack in my inventory. We started walking toward the west. The camp was in a busy state. Goblins were heading every which way doing all sorts of things. Eight of them were lugging a large axel down the tent aisles. Several kids were engaging in a snowball fight that was really just a fist fight. A bunch of goblins were sharpening spears, knives and arrowheads. Then there were the ones clearly making gunpowder. We, much like everyone else, stayed a respectable distance away from them.

We reached the edge of camp. “How far do you want to go out into the wilds?” I asked.

“Far enough to imply we want privacy, but not so far that people won’t come talk to us if something important happens,” She answered decisively.

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“So fifty feet?” I asked. As we walked into the wastes.

“Further” Angelica said. The back of her hand kept hitting mine.

I took her hand in mine, “Lead the way.”

She led me about a hundred and fifty yards out, “Here’s good.”

“Alright let's see if this works,” I pulled the huge bag made of snow lion pelts out of my inventory. It appeared with one corner in my hand and thumped onto the ice.

Angelica looked at the massive crumpled pile of fur, “ Is that the floor?”

I lifted the front of the tent to reveal the inside. It didn’t look that impressive. “I think this should work.” I stuck a hand into the tent and then pulled the structure out of my inventory. Everything more or less snapped into place. The massive empty bag went from shapeless to a two story tall forty foot diameter circular tent with a cone top. It sat there perfectly…for like two seconds then the wind started to tilt it.

I dove inside and pulled several more of the large dungeon rocks out of my inventory and tossed them into the corners- edges- whatever. Slowly the tilting stopped and the floor slammed back to the ground.

“Is it safe to enter?” Angelica called. She wasn’t laughing at me, but she did sound like it was a struggle. After a bit she added, “The tent I mean.”

“I am unsure?” I called back. The central pole looked like it was bending.

“I’m gonna chance it,” Angelica said. “It is really dark in here. Also shouldn’t the fur be on the inside?”

“I think the fur on the outside makes it more weather proof or something. Maybe last longer,” I said, deciding that all the poles seemed to bend a little, which seemed to be normal of the structure. Bones weren’t known for being bendy but these were now a tent frame.

“Have you made the candles yet?” Angelica asked.

“Not yet,” I admitted. I was crafting a bed. It took an unreasonable amount of snow lion corpses to make a bed. Eleven was just crazy.

“That is probably a good thing. You were going to make them out of lion bodies right?” She asked.

“The tallow yes,” I said pulling the be out of my inventory. Somehow I could make a couch out of like three bodies and two night stands out of just one corpse.

“You mind mixing this into the process,” she held a small bottle.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Lavender perfume,” She said, “My fear is that without this the candles are gonna smell like burning cat, and cats don’t smell that great at the best of times.”

“Say less,” I said, bringing up my crafting menu. “Apparently making candles that didn’t smell awful cost more material. That said I had so many corpses… probably shouldn’t brag about that.

I am the greatest snow lion killer who ever lived. I invite anyone who disagrees to slaughter as many of them as possible.

Prove me wrong… Do it!

I hesitated to pull the candles out of my inventory.

“What’s up?” Angelica asked.

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked. Something in my stomach clenched hard.

“Candles yeah,”Angelica deflected.

I sighed. “I just don’t want this to be something that divides us.”

Angelica studied me for a minute, “I know I just admitted to turning things around on people, but seriously, do you want to do this?”

“Yes,” I said, “but I am concerned that our relationship could change.”

“Your feelings are valid, but I am standing in the dark.” Angelica said gently, “Could you give me the candles so we can light this place up and then talk through this?”

We spent the next eight minutes lighting candles. I don’t know if you have ever tried to ignite a bunch of candles but it takes forever. Also candles don’t make like a huge amount of light individually. So you need a bunch of them. Don’t get me wrong, it made the place have a warm glow. I could feel the temp in the room -tent- increasing as we worked. I had to admit the low light was romantic.

Angelica plopped down on the couch, “Okay let’s talk through this a second here.” She patted the couch next to her.

I sat down, “I just worry that us taking our relationship to a sexual place may change the dynamic. I have seen it change things with other people, and it can end friendships. I just don’t want that to happen between the three of us.”

I could see them having a quick conversation.

Eventually Angelica spoke, “Celeste says, ‘We can’t promise that thing won’t change. Relationships change every day. That is normal. But, we promise to communicate and be respectful,’” She paused to listen to Celeste. “We are willing to do what you need to feel comfortable.”

“Why isn’t Celeste saying this?” I asked, not quite thinking.

“It is 9:30 and Celeste is hoping to bank her time for other activities,” Angelica explained.

I nodded, “Thank you both,” I should have just shut the hell up there but I kept talking, “I just get frustrated when people treat sex like an end-all-be-all of a relationship. They are just like I have touched you with my penis now it’s real.” I don’t disagree with the statement, but this is what Pappy Cohen would almost certainly describe as getting in my own way. My complaint was against Adora and the Narrators but it sounded a bit like a shot at Angelica and Celeste.

Luckily Angelica and Celeste decided to smooth over my foibles, “Celeste asked, ‘Do you know why some people treat sex like an end?’”

'No why?’ I asked. I realized this was a set up as soon as I stopped speaking.

Angelica grinned, “Because ideally it is done to completion.”

I didn’t quite laugh but I did grin, “That’s pretty funny.”

Angelica patted my shoulder, “Also I promise not to make things weird after I stick my dick in you.”

We both burst out laughing.

After we quit giggling the mood shifted. Angelica was waiting for me to make a move.

“Before we go any further, I think we should discuss green and red flags,” I said, calmly.

“What now?” Angelica asked. She had been leaning close but she snapped back.

“Do’s and don'ts with regard to sex,” I explained.

“Doug, It’s sex. No means yes. Yes means harder. Pangolin means stop.” she counted each point off on her fingers.

“Pangolin?” I asked. That is a choice for a safe word. Sure as hell doesn’t pop up in my everyday speech

Angelica shrugged, “Celeste does not like them but she also will not elaborate.”

“Did it hit her with its skunk spray?” I asked.

“Seriously, what the hell is a Pangolin?” Angelica asked.

“It’s like a scaly anteater,” I said quickly, “Getting back to my point. What you outlined is a valid way to fuck, but that absolutely leans into stating green and red flags.”

“I mean we can,” Angelica sighed, “It’s not the most romantic or exciting thing to do.”

“Informed consent is romantic. Permission is exciting,” I retorted.

Angelica considered, and kept considering. There may have been some speculation and imagination occurring, “Okay” she agreed. Then immediately added, “You go first.”

I told her my list.

Angelica blinked, “Huh. I am not going to lie… I thought you were more… vanilla.”

I shrugged, “Whatever you are comfortable with.”

“Everything but that lost one,” Angelica said.

“And your green and red flags?” I asked.

Angelica gave me a list. One of her green flags was one of my red flags.

“That’s fine,” I said after some quick thought.

“But you said it was a red flag,” Angelica objected.

“I don’t enjoy that but if it is something you want-” I explained

Angelica cut me off, “Okay fine I put it on the list to shock you. After your list I felt… basic. Please do not do that to me.”

Thank God!

I kept my expression nonjudgmental and asked.“Okay, what about Celeste?”

“I have no idea,” Angelica admitted. I saw her face slide into that neutral expression looking up and to the right. Then Angelica's eyes went wide. She wasn’t exactly horror struck but that was the look someone gets when they can’t unhear something.

“Again what you are comfortable with is what we will do. No pressure,” I reassured.

“It’s just,” Angelica started. She looked at me. “One second.” she turned away, “Really?” The conversation between them went on for more than a second. We got things figured out eventually.

…what?

Oh yeah. The sex.

I mean you have either seen it or you haven’t. No judgement either way. That said it is a lot like most things in life, kinda weird and off putting if you are not directly involved. I am not going to go into graphic details. Honestly that seems counterproductive. I will point out a couple of things though. Yes, having the strength and endurance to do whatever we wanted without getting tired was great. Ten out of ten, no notes.

Things smoothly progressed to us enjoying each other. Then at around 11:40 Celeste stepped in. It isn’t the best look to compare partners. The thing is Angelica and I were addressing physical wants, probably physical needs too. Celeste and I established something emotional as well. There was a passion to things that elevated the experience and for a brief and profound moment we were really connected.

This was followed by a truly upsetting moment when a snow lion attacked me from behind. That was followed by a moment so violent I can only describe it as a spiritual experience. I crushed it with a nightstand. Again if you weren’t participating words aren’t going to fully describe the event.

What followed next was a moment no one is proud of…

“Are you still good?” Celeste asked.

The claw marks on my back had stopped bleeding. I looked up from the snow lion/furniture amalgam. It was beginning to burn. I pulled it into my inventory, “,Yeah.”

“I only got twelve minutes left with you,” Celeste prompted.

She didn’t have to tell me twice.